A new bill in Pennsylvania would allow medical cannabis patients to grow their own cannabis at home. The bill was introduced by State Sens. Dan Laughlin (R) and Sharif Street (D). It would allow medical cannabis patients to grow up to six cannabis plants at home. Pennsylvania medical cannabis patients have been calling for such a change in policy for quite some time now.

“It’s critical that policy meet people where they are, and by allowing medical marijuana patients to grow cannabis plants at home, we can help ease the cost and accessibility burdens for this important medicine,” Laughlin said.

Patrick Nightingale, executive director of Pittsburgh NORML, told Cannabis News Box that this is a “critical” issue for medical cannabis patients in the state. He said many can’t afford the high cost of medical cannabis products. He did note that there are flaws with this bill that’s been
introduced.

“Too many patients of limited means find themselves returning to prescription pharmaceuticals because those medications are covered by health insurance whereas medical cannabis in Pennsylvania is not pursuant to the Act,” Nightingale said. “My only criticism is that SB1024 would permit landlords to discriminate against patients by prohibiting home cultivation in rental property. I would submit that many this bill is intended to help do not own their homes and are likely renters.”

Nightingale said home growing was debated when the state was considering legalizing medical cannabis, but that problem could be remedied if this bill passes. That being said, Nightingale isn’t currently confident the bill will pass.

“We’ve seen no movement on any cannabis related bills with the exception of HB 1024 (which codified the Governor’s emergency declaration, permitted remediation of failed plants and relaxed pesticide regulations for growers) and a single hearing on SB 167 – DUI reform for MMJ patients,” Nightingale said. “Nothing else has seen so much as a Committee hearing – not banking reform, statewide decriminalization (despite bi-partisan, law enforcement and DA support), adult use, and tenant protections.”

The legislature is considering, however, introducing a social use cannabis bill. Many states around the country don’t allow home growing, and it’s become a big problem for people who need medical cannabis to treat their ailments but cannot afford the products that are available in their area. This can result in people buying cannabis from the black market or growing at home illegally.